splashmans - Philip Jaisohn

Philip Jaisohn
by Stella K. Kaila K. Steve Questions:

Biographical information -- Be sure to describe any major events or factors that shaped that person's life. Dates are also of significance.
Their ideological foundation -- What political philosophy were they following? Did they support the notion of an emperor? What was their belief for their country or region's future?
Who opposed them -- What people or persons would have challenged their beliefs or actions? (Some might even be at the ball).
Something should be linked or pasted on the wiki which is a primary source of something that person said or wrote. That document (if it is a document) should not be longer than 500 words.
Be sure to cite your sources. Wikipedia cannot be a source for your research.

Birth date: January 7, 1864 in Boseong County (Korea)
Death date : January 5, 1951 in Norristown, Pennsylvania (U.S)
Names: Korean: Seo Jae Pil(서재필) English: Philip Jaisohn Korean name after returning from America: Pee Jae Shon(피재손)
Achievements:
*known champion for Korea's independence

first Korean to become a citizen of the U.S
life to Korean independence and sovereignty
passed the Geoweon civil service examination and became a yangban
traveled to Japan and studied the progressive developments during the Meiji Restoration. Became a committed Progressive.
Formed and was part of the Kapsin Coup but failed in Japan and fled to the U.S

Timeline

1864 (1.7): Born in Bosung, Korea as the second son of Seo Kwang-Hyo.
1871: Adopted to Seo Kwang-Ha, Seo Kwang-Hyo's cousin.
1882: Passed the Civil Service Examination.
1883~1884: Attended the Toyama Army Academy in Japan.
1884 (12.4): Staged the Kapsin coup with Kim Okgyun. The attempt was aborted in three days and Jaisohn had to emigrate to Japan.
1885: Arrived in San Francisco with Park Young Hyo and Soh Kwang Bum and worked at a furniture store.
1886~1889: Attended the Harry Hillman Academy (Wilkes Barre, PA). John W. Hollenback supported Jaisohn’s living and tuition in entirety. Anglitized his name from 'Seo Jae-Pil' to 'Philip Jaisohn.'
1889: Worked at the Army Surgeon General’s Library in Washington D.C translating Chinese and Japanese medical books into English. Entered the Medical School at Columbian University (now George Washington University).
1890 (1.19): Obtained the US citizenship.
1892: Earned a medical degree and opened a private medical office in 1984.
1894 (6.20): Married to Muriel Armstrong, daughter of George Buchanan Armstron. Jaisohn later had two daughters (Stephanie and Muriel).
1895: Left Washington D.C. at the request of the Korean government.
1896 (4.7): Started to publish The Independent.
1896 (6.2): Founded the Independence Club.
1897 (5.23): Built the Independence Hall.
1897 (8.8): Began a public forum called 'All People's Congress'.
1897: Erected the Independence Gate.
1898: Proposed the constitution of Congress.

Russia and Japan pressed the Korean government to dispel Jaisohn.

1899~1903: Worked at the Wistar Institute, University of Pennsylvania.
1904~1913: Operated a publishing and stationary business in Philadelphia with his friend, Harold Deemer.
1914~1924: Operated the Philip Jaisohn & Co. in Philadelphia.
1919 (4.14~16): Convened the First Korean Congress in Philadelphia after receiving the news of nationwide resistance in Korea.
1919 (4.22): Established the Korea Information Bureau.
1919 (5.16): Founded the League of Friends of Korea in Philadelphia with Rev. Floyd Tomkins. The League thereafter established 24 chapters in U.S., and one each in London and Paris.
1921 (9.29): Korean Provisional Government in Shanghai appointed Jaisohn as the vice-representative to the Washington Naval Conference.
1922~1935: Contributed a number of articles to Dong-A Ilbo, Chosun Ilbo, Shin Min, New Korea (Shin Han Min Bo), Peace & Liberty.
1924: Philip Jaisohn & Co. went bankrupt.
1925: With Yu Ilhan, Jaisohn founded the New-Ilhan & Co., but the business was not successful.
1925: Attended the Pan-Pacific Conference in Hawaii as a Korean delegate.
1926: Entered the Medical School of the University of Pennsylvania.
1927~1936: Worked at the Jeans Hospital, St. Joseph Hospital, Charleston General Hospital and Chester Hospital.
1929~1934: Published five research articles in pathology journals.
1936: Opened a private medical office in Chester, PA.
1937~1940: Contributed various columns such as "My Days in Korea" and "Random Thoughts" to the New Korea.
1941 (4): His wife, Muriel Armstrong died.
1942~1945: Volunteered as a physical examination officer for the US Army during the World War II.
1945: Awarded a medal from the US Congress in honor of contribution to the US Army.
1947 (7.1): Returned to Korea as the Chief Advisor to the US Military Government and as a member of the Korean Interim Legislative Assembly. Jaisohn made strenuous efforts toward democracy and the unification of Korea.
1948: Petitioned to run for presidency.
1948 (9.11): Returned to the U.S.
1951 (1.5): Died at the Montgomery Hospital, PA during the Korean War (1950~1953).
1975 (1.15): The Philip Jaisohn Memorial Foundation was established in Philadelphia, PA.
1977: The National Foundation Medal was awarded posthumously to Jaisohn by the Korean government. A memorial monument was erected at Rose Tree Park, Media, PA.
1994: His remains were exhumed from West Laurel Cemetery to Korea and buried at the National Cemetery in Seoul.